Scottish independence 'yes' vote gaining in new poll

The campaign for Scottish independence is gaining ground with five months to go until the referendum, according to new polls.

The gap between the two sides has narrowed, suggesting a two-point swing could be enough to secure a "yes" vote on September 18.

An ICM poll for the Scotland on Sunday newspaper shows support for independence is at 39%, while opposition has fallen four points to 42%.

Excluding people who have not yet made up their minds, the results put "yes" on 48% and "no" on 52%.

It is the highest level of support for independence since last August, leading the Yes Scotland campaign group to claim it is "confident" of securing the necessary two-point swing.

Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins said: "The extreme negativity of the 'no' campaign is proving a major turn-off for voters, and month by month they are paying the price."

A second poll by Survation for the Sunday Post newspaper puts a "yes" vote up one point to 38% and a "no" vote down one point to 46%.

Belfast Telegraph